Big Ohio newspapers split on president

Two of the biggest newspapers in the pivotal battleground state of Ohio split on their endorsements Sunday in the presidential race.

The Plain Dealer of Cleveland supported a second term for Democratic President Barack Obama. The Columbus Dispatch backed Republican Mitt Romney.

The Obama and Romney campaigns each quickly sent out releases highlighting the endorsement that went their way. Both campaigns have focused major portions of their resources and candidates’ time on the state, considered likely to be crucial to determining the election winner.

The Plain Dealer (http://bit.ly/T7HVgE ) endorsed Obama for a second term, after also endorsing him in 2008. Its endorsement praised Obama’s leadership on issues such as the auto industry bailout, health care overhaul, education and war on terror. It said the auto plan was “unpopular but gutsy,” and it worked, especially for Ohioans in places such as Toledo and Lordstown.

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While saying this year’s endorsement comes with “less enthusiasm or optimism” than four years ago, the newspaper criticized Romney for shifting positions and “tendency to bluster on foreign policy.” The Plain Dealer’s editorial board wrote that it was “sorely tempted” to endorse Romney because of missed opportunities and “grim economic statistics” under Obama.

“But Romney’s frequent changes raise questions about his core principles and make his lack of policy details all the more troubling,” the newspaper wrote.

“Obama has shown that he favors engagement over bluster, and practical solutions over easy bromides,” The Plain Dealer wrote. “That’s what the country needs.”

The Dispatch said the United States needs a new direction. Its endorsement editorial stated (http://bit.ly/VqiLx6 ) that it warned four years ago about Obama’s lack of experience, and says the result has been economic stagnation, massive unemployment, record-setting debt and government intrusion into the private sector.

“Obama has failed,” The Dispatch’s editorial board wrote. “That is why Mitt Romney is the preferred choice for president. Romney’s adult life has been spent turning around troubled private and public institutions.”

It praised Romney’s “wealth of executive experience” to lead the nation out of economic malaise. The paper also endorse Obama’s opponent in 2008, Republican John McCain.

“In 2008, Americans made a leap of faith. ... That faith was not rewarded,” The Dispatch editorial concluded. “This time, voters should place their hopes for change in experience, by electing Romney.”